Apparatus for testing moisture content in granular material



Oct.

w. J. DELMHQRST 2,359,831

APPARATUS FORTESTING MOISTURE CONTENT IN GRANULAR MATERIALS Filed Jan.20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR44 WFLUAM J. DELMHORST Oct. 10, 1944.w J DELMHQRST I 2,359,831

APPARATUS FOR TESTING MOISTURE CONTENT IN GRANULAR MATERIALS Filed Jan.20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WILLIAM J DELMHORST ATTORNEY themixture in the sample Patented Oct. 10, 1944 ENT ar s;

AfiPARATUS FOR, TESTING MOISTURE con- TENT IN GRANULAR MATERIAL WilliamJ. Delmhorst, Jersey City, N. J., assignor to Measurements Corporation,Boonton, N. .12, an

corporation of New Jersey Application January 20, 1940, Serial No.314,764

14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for and methods of testing moisturecontent in granular material.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the characterdescribed, comprising a receptacle in which the granular material to betested is placed, and a compartment in the receptacle for calciumcarbide adapted to react with the moisture in the granular material whenthe receptacle is shaken, to produce acetylene gas which escapes throughopenings in the cover, the resulting loss in weight permittingcomputation of moisture content in said material.

A further object of this invention is to provide in apparatus of thecharacter described, a receptacle for the sample material'to be tested,having a cover adapted to be clamped thereto, the

- compartment for the calcium carbide being fixed to said cover andprojecting into the receptacle and being constructed to permit thecarbide to be shaken into the receptacle to react with mois ture in thesample, and also to permit acetylene gas to pass into the compartment,and the cover being formed with openings communicating with thecompartment, to permit the acetylene gas to escape from the receptacle,through said comp rtment.

A still further object of this invention is to provide ahighly-improved, economical and simplified method of testing themoisture content of granular material, consisting in causing a sample ofsaid material ofkno'wn weight to mix with willcient calcium carbide in avessel to react with all the moisture in the sample and permitting theresulting acetylene gas to escape, whereby the 88 in W ht due to escapeof the acetylene cax be measured, to permit easy computation of thmoisture content-in the sample.

A 'yet further object of this invention, is to provide apparatus of thecharacter described having means t stir the sample and also the calciumcarbide to insure a good mixture, so that all of will come intm contactwith the calcium carbide.

Another object of this invention is to provide a strong, durable andcompact apparatus of the L character described, which shall berelatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manipulate and yetpractical and efilcient to a high degree in use. Other objects of thisinvention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

Theinvention' accordingly cpnsists in the combination of steps, featuresof construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of partswhich will be exemplifi ed in the method and con- (cits-253) structionhereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will beindicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown various possibleillustrative embodiments of this invention, r f

Figure 1 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of apparatus fortesting moisture content in granular material, embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 butillustrat- The receptacle II is provided with an annular cover M for thetop open end'of the receptacle. Said cover It is formed with adownwardly extending annular flange l6 of somewhat greater innerdiameter than the diameter of the upper rim l8 of the receptacle l I. Anannular rubber gasket 02'' ring I1 is attached to 'the underside of thecover, and is adapted tocontact the upper rim ill of the receptacle.

, Attached to the underside of the cover I4, is an inverted cup-shapedcontainer. 20 of metal, ,or-

other suitable material, having an annular top 5 wall 2| formed with adownwardly extending cythe cover by a plurality of screws or otherfastening members 24, passing through the cover and half the length ofthe receptacle l I, and the lower" end thereof is open. Said lower endmaybe closed by a cover 30, having an annular flange 3|, and a bottomwall 32 ofwire screening material. The cover 30 is frictionally appliedto the open end of the container and ma be removed by pulling it off thelower end of 21 container.

' The cover I' l may he clamped o the receptacle ill by means of aspring metal clamp 35. The clamp 35 is made of a piece of spring metal,and

has a bottom bowed portion -36, contacting the lindrical wall 22. Thecontainer! is attached to 2 I underside of thereceptacle, and upwardly'extending arms 31, formed-with inwardly extend- Another method oftesting the tent of granular material, with the improved aping fingers38, adapted to engage the top of the cover I4 and press the same downagainst the rim l8 of the receptacle.

one method of using the apparatus ID to test moisture content ingranular material, will now be described:

Place approximately 4 grams of calcium carbide in the container 20, andthen close the container with the cover 30. After the cover 30 is placedon the container 20, weigh cover ll together with the empty shaker orreceptacle ll. Then'place a sample of the granular material to be testedwithin the receptacle II, and then weigh the cover I4 and the receptacleII, with the sample therein.

The difierence in the two weights gives the weight of the sample used.Then place the cover ll on the shaker ll, being careful that none of'the calcium carbide is lost, and app y the clamp 35 to firmly clamp thecover l4 onto the shaker, and shake the shaker for about a minute. The

moisturefrom the sample will react with the 1 calcium carbide to produceacetylene gas and calcium hydroxide.

The formula is as follows:

CaC: plus 2H20=C2Hz plus Ca(OH) 2 As .the shaker is shaken, the calciumcarbide will drop through the screen wall 32 and mix with the sample toreact with the moisture. The

acetylene gas produced will escape through the apertures 25, 21, and thecloth screen 28 will preparatus I0, is to place approximately 25 gramsof calcium carbide in the container 20, and cover the container with thescreen'cover 30; Then place the cover and empty shaker or receptacle onone side of a balance instrument, and bring to a balance. Then'place acounterweight of 69.3 grams on the right side of the balance, and placeenough sample material in the shaker to bring the scale again intobalance. Then place the cover on the shaker, being careful so that noneof the calcium carbide is lost, apply the clamp and shake the shakeruntil thereaction is completed. This operation should take about oneminute. Then remove the clamp and place the shaker with the cover on thescale, and bring the scale again to a balance. Every gram lost in weightwill represent a moisture content of 2%. It will now be understood thatno computa- 'tion' is necessary. 4

Approximately 25 grams of calcium carbide is used with 69.3 grams ofsample, where the moisture con nt of the sample is 10% or less. Forhigher moisture content, the sample should be reduced to one-half for20% and to one-quarter for The loss in weight will then represent amoisture content of 4% per gram for one-half sample, and 8% per gram ofone-quarter sample.

In Figs. 3 and 4 there is shown apparatus Illa illustrating a modifiedform of the invention. The device Illa comprises a'container Ila open atthe top and closed .by a cover Ila. Attached to the underside of thecover Ila is a container 20a, the top wall whereof is formed withopenings 26a registering with openings 21a in the top cover. Container20 is attached to the cover by v the.screws 24a. The" cover and top wallof the container are formed with registering .bearing weighed. Thediflerence between the weight of the receptacle and cover before andafter shaking, gives the loss of weight due to the escape of theacetylene gas.

I The percentage of moisture may be readily calculated since the loss ofweight of acetylene gas, times %8, divided by the weight of the samplematerial, times 100 gives percentage of moisture,

- The molecular weight of 2H2O is 36. The mdiecular weight of 01H: is26. For this reason, the loss of weight is multiplied by to obtain theweight of the moisture in the sample. The above computation givespercentage ofgross weight of sample, and the percentage of dry weightmay be readily computed.

4 grams of calcium carbide are used when using'a sample weighingapproximately 10 grams, with moisture content of 10% or less. When themoisture content of the sample is. between 10% and 25%, 7 grams ofcalcium'carbide is used. when the moisture content is between 25% and50% of the sample, 12 grams of calcium carbide .is used. when themoisture content is greater openings 40 and ll for the purposehereinafter appearing. Betweenithe top wall. of 'the container 20a andthe cover Ha, is a. piece of cloth 29a.

The lower end of the container 20 is closed hp 9. cover 30a formed witha central bearing .opening 44. Extending through the bearing. openings40, 4| and 44 is a vertical rod 50, to the upper end of which isattached a crank handle 5! by which the rod may be rotated. Fixed to thelower endof the rod 50 is an agitating blade 52 I preferably comprisinga twisted flat strip of metal. Attached to the rod 50 and located withinthe container 20a. is a stirring pin 55.

It will now be understood that upon rotating the crank. handle, thesample in the bottom of the container Ila, as well as the calciumcarbide in the container 20a, are stirred and agitated to insure contactof all the mixture in the sample with the calcium carbide. The stirringblade 52 and pin 55 are preferably located at the lower ends of thecontainers Ila and 20a, respectively, so that all of the sample andcarbide will be thoroughly stirred.

The cover Ila. may be held onto the container Ha by the spring clamp35a, similar to clamp 35 of Fi l.

. It will thus be seen that there is provided a .device and method inwhich the several objects of this invention are achieved, and-which iswell adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be;

matter herein set forth or shown in the accommoisture con-.

parrving drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

and said receptacle having one or more open- Having thus described .myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Apparatus for testing the moisture content in granular material,comprising a receptacle, open at one end, a cover for closing the openend of the receptacle, a container mounted at one end on the undersideof the cover and having its other end open and adapted to project intosaid receptacle when the cover is in place, a screened cover to closethe open end of said container, said first cover having openingscommunicating with said container, and meanstor clamping said firstcover to said receptacle.

2. Apparatus for testing the moisture content in granular material,comprising a receptacle, open at one end, a cover for closing the openend of the-receptacle, a container mounted at one end on-the undersideof the coverf and having its other end open and adapted to projectmunicating with said container, and means for clamping said first coverto said receptacle, the openings in said first cover being covered by apiece of cloth.

3. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a receptacle, acover for said receptacle, a'container attached to, said cover andadapted to project into said receptacle when the cover is in place, onthe receptacle, said container having an open end, communicating withthe interior of the receptacle, a screenat said open end to permitpowdered material within said container to be shaken through said screeninto said receptacle and said container and cover having registeringopenings, a piece of cloth covering said registering openings to permitgas generated in said receptacle to escape freely therefrom, whilepreventing any loss of powdered material from said container throughsaid openings.

4. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a receptacle, openat the top, a cover for the top of the receptacle engaging the upper rimedge of said receptacle, an inverted cupshaped container fixed to theunderside of the cover and being open at the bottom, a cover of wirescreening material closing the lower end of the container, said firstcover being formed with perforations communicating with the interior ofsaid container, and means for attaching the first cover to saidreceptacle.

5. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a receptacle, openat the top, a cover for the top of the receptacle engaging the upper rimedge of said receptacle, an inverted cupshaped container fixed to theunderside of the cover and being open at the bottom, a cover of wirescreening material closing thelower end of the container, said firstcover being formed with perforations communicating with the interior ofsaid container, means for attaching the first cover to said receptacle,and a cloth screen covering the perforations in said first cover.

6. Apparatus for testing the moisture content in granular material,comprising a receptacle in which. a sample of the granular material maybe placed, a container attached to a portion of said receptacle anddisposed within said re-,

ceptacle, in v which calcium carbide may be placed, said containerhaving an opening covered by a wire screen to permit the calcium carbidetherein to be shaken-into the receptacle to mix with the sample ofgranular material,

ings, communicating with said container through which acetylenegas'formed by the reaction of the calcium carbide with the moisture inthe sample, may freely escape from the receptacle by passing throughsaid container.

7. Apparatus for testing the moisture content in granular material,comprising a receptacle in which a sample of the granular material maybe placed, a container attached to a wall of the receptacle and.disposed within said receptacle in which calcium carbide may-be placed,said container having perforations communicating with the interior ofthe receptacle to permit the calcium carbide therein to be shaken intothe receptacle to mix with the sample of granular material, and saidwall of said receptacle having one or more openings through whichacetylene gas formed by the reaction of the calcium carbide with themoisture in the sample, may, escape from the receptacle, said opening oropenings in the receptacle communicating with said container, wherebythe acetylene gas must pass through said container before escape fromsaid receptacle. I

8. Apparatus for testing the moisture content in granular material,comprising a receptacle in which a sample of the' granular material maybe placed, a container attached to said receptacle and disposed.withinsaid receptacle in which calcium carbide may be placed, saidcontainer having an opening covered by a wire screen to permit thecalcium carbide therein to be shaken into the receptacle to mix with thesample of granular material, and said receptacle having one Or moreopenings through which acetylene gas formed by the reaction oi thecalcium carbide [with themoisture in the sample, may escape from thereceptacle, the

opening or openings in the receptacle communieating with said container,whereby the acetylene gas must pass through said container before escapefrom said receptacle, and a cloth screen covering the opening oropenings in said receptacle, to prevent any particles from falling outof the receptacle or container, when the receptacle is shaken.

- 9. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a receptacle, acover for said receptacle,

prising 'a receptacle, a cover for said receptacle,

a container attached to said cover, said container having perforationscommunicating with the interior of said receptacle to permit a powderedmaterial within the container to beshaken into the receptacle, saidcover having openings surrounded by said container to permit a gaswithin the receptacle ,to freely escape therefrom by passing throughsaid container, and means mounted on said cover and extending into'saidreceptacle and container to stir the contentsof the receptacle, and alsoto stirthe. contents ofsaid container.

v 11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a receptacle, 8.cover for said receptacle,

a container attached to said cover and projecting container to permit agas within the receptacle to freely escape therefrom by passing throughsaid container, and means on the cover and extending into said containert9 stir the powdered material within said cont ner.

12. Apparatus of the character described, com-' prising a receptacle,open at the top, a cover for the top of the receptacle engaging theupper rim edge of said receptacle, an inverted cup-shaped containerfixed to the underside of the cover and being open at the bottom, acover of wire screening material closing the lower end of the con.-tainer, said first cover being formed with perforations communicatingwith the interior of said container, means for clamping the first coverto said receptacle, a, rod rotatably mounted on said cover and passingthrough said container into sa d receptacle, a handle on the rod, andmeans on said rod to stir the contents of said receptacle.

13. Apparatus for testing the moisturecontent in granular material,comprising a receptacle in which a sample of the granular material maybe placed, a container within said receptacle in which calcium carbidemay be placed, said container'being attached to'said receptacle,.andhaving perforations to permit the calcium carbide therein to be shakeninto the receptacle to mix with the sample oi granular material, saidrecep- .tacle having one or more openings surrounded by said containerthrough which acetylene gas formed by the reaction of the calciumcarbide with the moisture in the sample, may escape from the receptacle,by passing through said co 7 tainer and means carried by the receptacleraga extending thereinto to stir the sample within 5 id receptacle.

I 14. Apparatus for testingthe moisture content in granular material,comprising a receptacle in which a sample of the granul r material maybe placed, a container within which calcium carbide may be placed, saidcontainer being attached to said receptacle, and having perforations topermit the calcium carbide therein to be shaken into the receptacle tomix with the sample of granular material, said receptacle having one ormore openings surrounded by I .said container ,through which acetylenegas formed by the reaction of the calcium carbide with the moisture inthe sample, may escape from the receptacle, by passing through saidcontainer,

means carried by said receptacle and extending thereinto to stir thesample within said receptacle,

' and means on the first means and disposed within aid receptacle in"

